Tasty Tuesday - Granny's Cucumbers

I love this time of year when garden produce is so bountiful. Cucumbers are one of the vegetables we love to eat in summer, and our favorite way to eat them is just like Granny used to make.

Granny's Cucumbers

2-3 med. sized cucumbers, peeled and sliced

1/2 red onion, sliced (you can also use a Vidalia onion)

2/3 C apple cider vinegar

2/3 C sugar

2/3 C water

Combine the vinegar, sugar and water in a pretty glass bowl and stir until sugar is dissolved. Add cucumber and onion slices. Sprinkle with black pepper to taste. Chill in refrigerator a couple hours before serving.

My family eats this up!

For other great recipes and tips, visit Jen at Balancing Beauty and Bedlam.

The Simple Woman's Daybook - June 29, 2009

FOR TODAY, JUNE 29th EDITION...

Outside my window... a warm sunny day, but thankfully, it is not supposed to get higher than 90°

I am thinking... about legacies and family traditions.

I am thankful for... my family roots. No, my ancestors were not perfect by any means, but I'm glad for the family I've been given.

From the kitchen... tonight's meal will be our standard Monday fare: meatloaf, cheese potatoes, and peas. Sometime this week, we'll have Amish noodles and chicken.

I am wearing... navy capris and a peach colored top.

I am creating... or I should say I'm gathering information to create some sort of family generational scrapbook.

I am going... for a bike ride this evening.

I am reading... "Plain Perfect" by Beth Wiseman - another book about the Amish.

I am hoping... to get more exercise this week.

I am hearing... other than the hum of the air conditioner -- silence!

Around the house... I want to change out some of the table runners and decorations in the kitchen. (I like to switch them around from time to time.)

One of my favorite things... taking some landscape pictures, which I was able to do this past weekend.

A few plans for the rest of the week: a couple of cards to mail out this week, a couple of blog projects I have in mind, and a day off! I have Friday off for the Independence Day holiday! My daughter and I are planning on doing some yard saling. Maybe we'll find a treasure!

Here is picture thought I am sharing...


This picture was taken at my cousin's home, which is at the farm my paternal grandparents owned. This yard is where my dad played as he grew up. It has a beautiful view and I love it there.


Peggy at The Simple Woman's Daybook is the creator of the Daybook idea. She is on vacation, but on September 14th will be again hosting The Simple Woman's Daybook. During the summer, some are linking up at Grandmother Wren's place.

Friday's Fave Five- June 26, 2009

Another week has rolled around and once again, it's Friday! I love Fridays ...

It's time for Friday's Fave Five, a time to reflect on my week and pick out 5 highlights. I love this meme because it focuses on positive things!

1. My first fave is not something I actually bought this week, but I thought about it -- that counts doesn't it? The picture belows shows a platter I picked up at a yard sale during my staycation for 25¢. It has 22K gold around the edges. I bought this because the gold pattern around the edges matches some dishes I bought at an auction the first year we got married. Those dishes are packed away right now, so I'll share a picture of them another day.

2. Next, I thought I would show you a picture of my Gerbera Daisy. This Daisy was given to me for Administrative Professionals Day and I shared a picture with you on that week's FFF. Now, see how it has grown? I haven't killed it!

3. The third item for this week is a picture of a beautiful mimosa tree (or at least I think it's a mimosa) that I passed by riding my bike this week. I had to take this picture at dusk because it is way too hot to ride bikes until then. (Where is my beloved spring weather?) We are having a mean streak of 95° days here in the midwest.

4. Speaking of hot weather, I must mention my favorite summertime drink, Tea-ade. That's my little name for a concoction of lemonade and sweet tea. I keep a picture of both in my fridge. When I get thirsty, I fill a glass about 1/3 of the way with lemonade and then pour in sweet tea to fill it to the top. Ahh... so good!

5. Last night, we had an old-fashioned summer dinner: ham and beans, cornbread, cucumbers, macaroni and tomatoes, and fried squash. Oh, my! Talk about good. There's nothing better than summer produce! I cooked it like Granny used to do. The only thing, if she'd been here, she would have added a "mess of greens" to the menu.

So, how was your week? If you'd like to share, visit Susanne at Living to Tell the Story.

Thankful Thursday - Deserved Rewards

Laurie, this month's Thankful Thursday hostess, said:

When we constantly seek Him, and continue to look for what His desires are for our lives and not our fleshly desires ... we can then find the deserved rewards that we are seeking! God is a gracious and compassionate God, He is slow to anger and abounds in love. He knows better what we are in need of than we are. Aren't you thankful that God knows exactly what is best for us?

I'm thankful I don't get what I deserve! I'm a sinner saved by grace and there is nothing good in me. I deserve death and judgment. My righteousness is as filthy rags. BUT I'm a child of God because I accepted the sacrifice Christ made for me on the cross, repented and made Him Lord of my life. Therefore, I am made righteous THROUGH the blood of Jesus and have become a new creation, a daughter of the King.

As a daughter of the King, I am loved beyond measure. See what He says in 1 John 3:1 -

"How great is the love the Father has lavished on us, that we should be called children of God! And that is what we are! ... "

I know I've used this scripture recently in other posts, but it's so great. He doesn't just love us, He lavishes love on us! I'm thankful that He loves me like that. I can trust Him to give me what is best for me since He loves me so extravagantly.

If you'd like to read other thankful hearts, visit Laurie at Women Taking A Stand.

Tasty Tuesday- Pressure Cooker Green Bean Dinner

It won't be long before there will be fresh green beans available in my area. Perhaps you already have some fresh green beans. If so, here is my favorite way to cook them:

Pressure Cooker Green Bean Dinner

Ingredients:

4-6 slices bacon

4 medium sized potatoes, peeled and quartered

1 lb. fresh green beans

1 TBSP. dried chopped onion

1 tsp. garlic powder

1 tsp. dried basil

½ tsp. salt

¼ tsp. pepper

Step One

Fry bacon til crisp in the bottom of your 6 qt. pressure cooker. Remove bacon, crumble and set aside.

Step Two

Into the drippings, add the following in order: onion, potatoes, green beans, spices. Add 1 Cup water and put the lid on, sealing the pressure cooker.

Step Three

Cook on high until the pressure begins to jiggle, then turn heat to medium. Continue to cook for approx. 12 minutes. Turn heat off and let pan sit until lid comes off easily ( about 5-10 minutes.)

Serve with crumbled bacon on top.

This makes me hungry just typing the recipe. I've got to go to the roadside vegetable stand and get me a "mess" of green beans to cook for dinner. (My granny was always cooking up a "mess" of something!)

For more great recipes, mosey on over to Jen's Balancing Beauty and Bedlam for Tasty Tuesday!

What's On Your Mind '09

This week's assignment from Shane at Heart Reflections:

Collect your favorite words throughout the previous week and put together in a story, a poem or a random post. Read this post for more ideas.

Lately, I have been having trouble with reading comprehension. (Something I never had a problem with before ... I think it might have something to do with having too many things I want to do in a short period of time.)

So, I thought the assignment was to observe what words I heard people say most over the last week. Here, in my neck of the woods, we are enduring a stretch of mid-90° weather that is lasting and lasting ... So the words I observed this week all had to do with heat: hot, sizzling, sweaty, blazing. I was all set to write about "hot" and how in today's world that word is used in two different ways.

I didn't read the post for more ideas ... until today!

The idea for our challenge was to increase our "word pool," or become a collector of words. L.L. Barkat said that words "are distinct, arresting, memorable, except when we use the same ones over and over." She also said that having a collection of words at the ready would be helpful for the writer.

I'm all about that!

If you are like me, a voracious reader, then you already know a lot of unique words. You can't help it! I've learned so many many words over the years from the myriad of books, magazines, articles and labels that I've read. You just subconsciously pick up knowledge of words.

I also have to say that all these words come out when you least expect it. Here's a classic example: Once when our family was eating out, my husband wiped his stubbly chin with a napkin. I piped up, "Hon, you've got napkin residue on your chin!" Boy, did I ever take a ribbing about saying "napkin residue."

I'm always being teased about being the "human dictionary." That's okay, I want be a person who uses unique words.

I worry about our youth today, it seems that not only do they just use common words, they add to it filthy language for emphasis! I always tell my girls that I think people cuss because they are too ignorant to know a better word to describe their emotion.

So ... yeah, I'm a word collector and I'm going to keep doing it. Words are one collection I don't have to worry about having enough space to store - my Creator has given me room in my brain!

If you'd like to see what other's have on their mind about this topic, visit Shane at Heart Reflections.

The Simple Woman's Daybook - June 22, 2009

FOR TODAY, MONDAY, JUNE 22nd EDITION...

Outside my window... HOT sunshine!

I am thinking... on Galatians 6:9 -

"Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up."

I am thankful for... the fact that I am not a quitter!

From the kitchen... one day this week, we'll have spaghetti and garlic bread, another day, oven-fried chicken tenders, another day, good ole beans and cornbread and fried squash. I'm just not sure which days, yet ...

I am wearing... my favorite brown dress with mauve flowers. The material is so cool and comfortable.

I am creating... ideas for a scrapbook picture frame I picked up at a yard sale.

I am going... to cut down on sugar in my diet. I'm starting by limiting my sweet tea to once a day ...

I am reading... Ephesians, and some new decorating blogs I've come across ...

I am hoping... God answers "Yes" to some petitions I have asked of Him.

I am hearing... the hum of the blessed air conditioner. God bless the person who invented it!

Around the house... there are always things to clean and organize, but nothing major this week.

One of my favorite things... a day off!

A few plans for the rest of the week: I want to get some cards in the mail and work on my scrapbook frame.

Here is picture thought I am sharing...

Dad and his daughters, Father's Day, June 22, 2009

Peggy at The Simple Woman's Daybook is the creator of this meme. She is taking the summer off, but will resume publishing daybooks on September 14.

Friday's Fave Five- June 19, 2009

I'm back! What a busy busy week my staycation was! I'm ready to get back to my routines, which includes participating in Friday's Fave Five.

1. This first favorite is actually from last week, but I didn't get the pictures loaded to the computer till this week. That makes it count for this week, right?

During our staycation, we traveled to Arcola, Illinois, to the heart of Amish country. We visited a museum, ate at an Amish restaurant, went to an Amish store (I went crazy buying spices, flour, etc.), and went on tours to see a woodworking business and an Amish home. (I also got lost in the heart of their farmlands -- all those narrow roads look alike!)

The Amish do not want their faces to be photographed, so this picture of an Amish man in a buggy with his three daughters is not clear. The horse's tail kept their faces from being shown.

You can't see them, but there were three adorable little girls wearing black bonnets in the buggy. They were probably ages 1, 3, and 5.

As I drove along in Arcola (and Arthur, IL) I passed many horses and buggies alongside the road. I always slowed down; I was afraid the traffic would spook the horses. I also saw many Amish ride bicycles. Some of the bicycles were curious looking - I wish I could have gotten a picture - the pedals for the legs were up near where handlebars normally are.

2. This next picture is taken of my daughter in an Amish Whole Foods Store. I loved this place! If you like organic foods, this is the place to come. There were all kinds of pasta products, different flours and grains, spices, and candies! Oh, my. I wanted it all! The cool thing is I found out that you can order from them and they will ship to you. I will be ordering soon!

Also, at the store, was a selection of stuffed animals. Malia had to have this cow:

because she said it was smiling. How many smiling stuffed cows does a person normally see? Yes, the cow came home with us!

3. Sadly, the staycation had to end... (how do you end staying at home? :) I mean, my mom and sister headed back to Florida, and I went back to work. Time to get back into my routine, which of course, included riding my bike.

Here is a picture of a creek that I always stop at to catch my breath while riding bikes. (I know ... it's sad how out-of-shape I am!)

You know that I love to take pictures of water. I hope you can see the ripples of water over the creek bed - it's not very deep this time of year.

4. Here is a picture of the road I take every day to go to work. Actually, my favorite is the view from the other side -- heading back home! -- but I thought I would share this with you.

5. My favorite thing this week is that I am now all caught up at work from my vacation! I love the feeling of relief when you don't have anything hanging over your head. I plan to relax this weekend.

How did your week go? Link up with us over at Susanne's Living to Tell the Story.

Thankful Thursday - My Father's Eyes

This month's Thankful Thursday hostess, Laurie at Women Taking a Stand, says: "In a few days we will honor our earthly fathers, and I hope that you have some godly attributes passed down to you from your father, but the eyes of the Father that I speak of is not the genetic color passed down ...but it is the love, the peace, the joy and the grace that can be seen thru the eyes of our Heavenly Father. When people see you ....do they see the family resemblance?"

When I was growing up, people always told me that I looked like my father. In fact, it happened so often that the rare times that anyone ever told me I looked like my mother's side of the family, I would be amazed!

How much more important that people would think that I looked like my heavenly Father! Sadly, I have not had people come up to me and say I look like Him. Actually, I've never went up to anyone and said "You look like God," even though I have met some who certainly modeled Godly characteristics.

I think the greatest way people can know that we belong to Him is to show love to one another. After all, God is love. We should be love, too.

1 John 3:10 NIV tells us who the children of God are:

"This is how we know who the children of God are and who the children of the devil are: Anyone who does not do what is right is not a child of God; nor is anyone who does not love his brother"

Love should be the marker of family resemblance!

Today, I'm thankful that God loves me. I know I'm not worthy of His love, but He lavishes love on me anyway! What more can we ask than that?

"How great is the love the Father has lavished on us, that we should be called children of God! And that is what we are! ..." 1 John 3:1 NIV

To read other thankful hearts, visit Laurie at Women Taking a Stand.

WFMW-Bounce those Bugs!

I drive a cream-colored car. One thing I really hate is to get a bunch of bugs smooshed on my front grill and side mirrors. That really bugs me!

I have taken my car to the car wash and paid for the premium wash, but the bugs were left untouched.

What to do ... what to do ...

My hubby said he heard that if you rub a Bounce fabric softener sheet over your car, it will take the bugs off. Yeah, right ...

Guess what? It works! Hubs washed my car for me and used the Bounce sheet and the bugs came right off. He said he didn't even have to rub that hard.

Works for me!

For other great ideas and tips, visit Kristen at We are THAT Family.

Tasty Tuesday - Cornbread Salad

Recently, my mother sent this recipe to me. I made it and took it to a church potluck and it was a hit! Even better, the few leftovers I had tasted great the next day!

Corn Bread Salad

1 box of jiffy cornbread mix baked according to directions or 1 small cornbread baked

2 cans pinto beans drained

1 sweet pepper chopped fine (I used bell pepper)

1 med. onion

2 tomato chopped

2 cups mayo

3 TBSP dill pickle juice

1lb. bacon fried crisp and crumbled

Crumble the cornbread in the bottom of a 9x13 cake pan. Put the drained beans on top of the cornbread. Sprinkle the chopped onions, pepper and tomato on top of beans. Measure mayo and dill pickle juice and mix well and spread on top of the cornbread items and mix. Crumble the bacon on top of mixture. Put in the refrigerator over night. Serve the next day.

This recipe is perfect for a barbecue or a potluck. It tastes like summer!

For more great food ideas, visit Jen at Balancing Beauty and Bedlam.

What's On Your Mind '09 - What Is On The Other Side?

Today's challenge at What's On Your Mind, '09 is to post a picture and write about it.

I love outdoor photography and among my favorite subjects are "road" pictures. I love to take a picture of a road suggesting further travel. This particular photo is a favorite of mine because of the trees forming a tunnel over the road. On the other side of this tunnel to the right is a bright open meadow.

When you go through a tunnel, you are passing from one area to another. Some people picture passing from life into death as going through a tunnel. I don't know if that is true, but I think passing from life here to eternity will be a significantly different area than what we are used to viewing.

It's going to be marvelous! As scripture says,

"... Eye hath not seen, nor ear heard, neither have entered into the heart of man, the things which God hath prepared for them that love him" 1 Corinthians 2:9

Passing from death into eternity for the believer should not be scary; we should be anticipating something beautiful! Think of all the beauty that God has created here in seven days. He's been working on heaven since Jesus told the disciples that He was going to prepare a place for us. It's got to be mind-blowing!

I'm excited to see the pictures others posted. Join me in visiting Shane's Heart Reflections.

The Simple Woman's Daybook - June 15, 2009

FOR TODAY, JUNE 15th EDITION...

Outside my window... rain ...

I am thinking... that my staycation wore me out!

I am thankful for... my family - they mean everything to me!

From the kitchen... today will be hot dog roll-ups, tomorrow oven-fried chicken tenders. I'm not sure after that...

I am wearing... white capris and a coral top.

I am creating... a framed scrapbook page.

I am going... to get my hair highlighted and cut after work today. Yay!

I am reading... "Higher Hope" by Robert Whitlow. He is definitely one of my favorite authors.

I am hoping... to get back in my normal routine soon.

I am hearing... raindrops hitting the air conditioner.

Around the house... things are pretty well back to normal. I need to do a little extra cleaning in my bedroom.

One of my favorite things... caramel flavored Bugles ... it's my new favorite snack.

A few plans for the rest of the week: getting ready for the monthly board meeting, and getting some bike riding done. (I didn't ride any last week ...)

Here is picture thought I am sharing...

I just love pictures of water. Here is a small lake a few miles from my home.

The Daybook is the brain-child of Peggy at The Simple Woman's Daybook. Peggy is taking the summer off from participating. She will be back Monday, September 14.

On Staycation

This week I am on staycation. I have family from Florida visiting and we are keeping the roads hot visiting relatives, shopping, eating out, daytrips, etc. I will check in from time to time, but probably won't be participating in my usual memes.

I'm out collecting blog fodder!

My First Blog Award

Thanks to Mrs. C at Happenings at Home for awarding me my very first blog award! This award is given to bloggers who continually entertain, uplift, and inspire. I feel very honored!

I must pass this along to several of my blogging buddies:

Theresa at Seeking Peace and Pursuing It

Susanne at Living to Tell the Story

Rina at Into Still Waters

Karen at Surviving Motherhood

Friday's Fave Five- June 5, 2009

Is it Friday already? As usual, the week flew by! Which is one reason I always participate in Friday's Fave Five, a meme that explores the five most favorite things that happened in our week, making us take time to stop and reflect.



This week, my hubby has been busy with finishing remodeling the bathroom. As a result, the house has been filled with sheetrock dust, tools and general chaos. We've had little time to go on bike rides or do anything special. I've not taken any new pictures this week!




So, I've decided to share 5 favorites that comfort me no matter what kind of week I have had.



1. A relaxing dinner by candlelight using my favorite dishes, "Sunflower" by Corelle.

2. When I've had a stressful day, one of my favorite things to do is to fill a small basin with warm water and Bath and Body Works Cotton Candy bubble bath and soak my feet! After soaking awhile, drying off and slathering lotion on makes me feel so much better! (Sorry, no pic!)

3. Another favorite stress reliever: reading a good book. Over the years I've come up with several tried and true favorites that just make me feel happy to read them and get lost in their fictional world. Here's a list of some favorites since childhood:

• To Kill A Mockingbird by Harper Lee
• Karen by Marie Killilea
• Anne of Green Gables by L.M. Montgomery
• The Loves Comes Softly series by Janette Oke
• Sophie's Heart by Lori Wick (possibly my all-time favorite)
• The Mitford Series by Jan Karon

4. Another favorite thing to do is to go for a drive and look at pretty scenery. And if I can't go for a drive, I can always look at pictures from past trips:

beautiful sunset

I love willow trees!

Another thing I love - old white farmhouses!

5. I love to listen to praise and worship music. I get lost in it and forget my troubles. My favorite praise and worship CD is by Terry MacAlmon, "Live Worship." I know it's been around awhile but it just speaks to me.

If you'd like to share some favorites, visit Susanne at Living to Tell the Story. This a great bunch of people who love to visit everyone's blog to share each other's small joys.

Thankful Thursday-Spiritual Sweet Tooth

PSALM 19:9,10 "The laws of the Lord are true; each one is fair.

They are more desirable than gold, even the finest gold.

They are sweeter than honey, even honey dripping from the comb."

What kind of taste does reading and meditating upon the Word leave in your mouth? Is it a sweet taste or a sour one? This is the question Laurie, from Women Taking A Stand, our Thankful Thursday hostess this month, chose as our topic.

Reading the Word definitely is sweet to me now, but it wasn't always so. As a young Christian, I did not really read the Word all that much. I knew I should but there always seemed to be something else to do. I've always been a voracious reader; sad to say, most of my reading was fiction, and not always Christian fiction!

As I've matured in Christ, I've grown to love the Word and realize my need for reading it. I think the importance of knowing the Word really hit home when I was taught that we could stand on the promises of His Word. I put this teaching to the test over 20 years ago when my husband was out of work. I looked up every scripture I could find regarding God's provision. My husband and I read them over together and agreed in prayer claiming these scriptures. And the Lord heard and delivered. (I wrote a post about this experience. If you'd like to read it, click here.)

That experience was a real eye-opener to me. I realized that if I didn't study scripture, I wouldn't have any direction from God when a situation came up. Since then, I have set out on my journey of becoming a real student of the Word. I have so much to learn, it will take a lifetime of study.

One thing I have learned:

How sweet are Your words to my taste,

Sweeter than honey to my mouth!

Psalm 119:103

I'm thankful for His Word and thankful that He has provided so many versions, study helps and bible teachers to help me with my study. Most of all, I'm thankful for the Holy Spirit who gives me revelation and calls scripture to my remembrance when I need it.

To read other thankful hearts, visit Laurie at Women Taking A Stand.

What's On Your Mind '09 - Why Worry?

This week's topic is the subject of worry over at Shane's Heart Reflections.

When I was a very little girl, my grandpa's nickname for me was "Worrywart." I was very inquisitive and asked millions of questions, so I think really the reason he called me Worrywart was because I kept worrying him! However, he did have a worrywart to deal with, and that was my granny.

She worried about all kinds of things and about everybody. She had a large extended family and also knew everyone in her little village and all the surrounding communities; therefore, there was plenty of things to worry about! Now to give her credit, the reason she worried about all these people is that she really and truly cared about each one. She loved everyone and everyone loved her!

How many times I heard her say, "oh, I couldn't sleep a wink last night for worrying about ___________. I prayed all night long for (whoever it was)." I guess all that worrying did help her become a prayer warrior.

I don't think, though, that God intends us to be worriers. I base that belief on two scriptures:

... "I came that they may have and enjoy life,
and have it in abundance (to the full, till it
overflows)." John 10:10 AMP

How can you enjoy life if you're consumed with worry?

And,

"Casting the whole of your care [all your anxieties,

all your worries, all your concerns, once and for all] on Him,

for He cares for you affectionately and cares about you

watchfully"

1Peter 5:7 AMP

If you dwell on this scripture and meditate on it, pretty soon I have a feeling that worry will be less of a problem for you.

Why worry? The God of the universe cares about you!

Ooh, that reminds me of another scripture:

"And we know that all things work together for good

to those who love God, to those who are the called

according to His purpose."

Romans 8:28

If you truly believe that everything will work out for good, why worry?

Tasty Tuesday - Cherry Angel Food Dessert

Today, I thought I would share a great summer-time treat, Cherry Angel Food Dessert. This is an old favorite recipe of mine that I discovered back in the day when you could get a can of cherry pie filling at Aldi's for 99¢. I bought those cans like crazy and used them in 4-5 of my main staple recipes.

This particular recipe tastes like summer and is a wonderful dish to share at potlucks.

Cherry Angel Food Dessert

2 pkgs. Dream Whip

1 C milk

1 tsp. vanilla

1 Angel Food Cake

6 oz. cream cheese

1 C powdered sugar

1 can Cherry Pie Filling

Mix 2 pkgs. of Dream Whip with the milk and vanilla - prepared according to pkg. directions - in a large bowl.

In another bowl, cream 6 oz. of cream cheese and 1 cup powdered sugar. Then fold into Dream Whip bowl. Stir in one angel food cake that you have cut up into cubes. Spread into a 9x13 casserole dish. Top with one can cherry pie filling. Chill.

I'm sorry no pic of this creation (I know as a good blogger, there should be a picture!). The next time I make one of these, I will post a picture.

For other great recipes, join Jen over at Balancing Beauty and Bedlam.

The Simple Woman's Daybook - June 1, 2009

FOR TODAY, MONDAY, JUNE 1st EDITION...

Outside my window... sunshine!

I am thinking... of how much enthusiasm for life that I had as a small child. I am wondering why my level of enthusiasm is not as great as it was. (Although, I think I still have a pretty positive outlook on life.)

I am thankful for... the many many blessings God has given me. The greatest blessing is that He loves me in spite of my faults!

From the kitchen... some menu plans for this week include spaghetti and garlic bread, crockpot chicken, and using the left over chicken I will then make chicken and yellow rice.

I am wearing... a black skirt with my black, white and fuschia "pebbles" shirt. (I think it reminds me of something Pebbles Flintstone would wear.)

I am going... to ride my bike as much as possible this week.

I am reading... Ephesians - quite possibly my favorite New Testament book!

I am hoping... for a wonderful visit with my mom and sister and nephew that are coming to visit next week!

I am hearing... the hum of the air conditioner. It's sad that we have to turn them on - I would love for cool spring weather to last forever!

Around the house... spiffing up the house for visitors and the last phase of our bathroom remodel happens tomorrow!

One of my favorite things... leaving the kitchen spotless before I walk out the door!

A few plans for the rest of the week: having my hair done and getting some things accomplished before our "staycation" begins next week.

Here is picture thought I am sharing...

This is a shot I took of a small lake from a levee while riding bikes. God made such a beautiful world for us to enjoy!

If you'd like to read other daybooks, visit Peggy at The Simple Woman's Daybook.